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THE MANNER OF RECITATION OF THE HOLY QURAAN

It was usual with the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) to observe tartila (clear and distinct) in the recitation of the Holy QURAAN. He would not recite it rapidly and would utter each and every word clearly and would make a slight interval after reciting an ayah and would stretch out the word bearing the sign of maddah e.g., he would recite RAHMAN AND RAHEEM in a stretched out form and while beginning the recitation of the Holy QURAAN, he would seek refuge from ALLAH from cursed Shaitan (satan) in the following words: “I seek refuge in ALLAH from cursed shaitan”

Hadrat Umm Salama (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) would recite each ayah distinctly and separately e.g., he would say, and pause – then – he would recite and pause – then he would recite and pause. [Shamail -i- Tirmizi]

Hadrat Abdullah-bin-Qais (Radi AllahU Ta’ala Anha) narrated that he asked Hadrat Aisha (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) “What was the manner in which the Prophet used to recite the Glorious QURAAN viz. silently or louldy? She replied, “Both silently and loudly” He said, “Praise and thanks be to ALLAH that he has afforded us facility in every way.” (This means that one may recite the QURAAN silently or loudly according to circumstances). [Shamail -e- Tirmizi]

Hadrat Aishah (Radi AllahU Ta’ala Anha) narrated: I was informed that certain person used to recite the whole Holy QURAAN once or twice in one night. I said that though they recited yet they did not recite (i.e. they recited the words but did not observe the prescribed manner of recitation). I have stood up with the prophet throughout the nights: he used to recite (i) Surah al-Baqara (ii) Ale – lmran (iii) and an-Nisa . While reciting an ayah containing a subject matter of fear he would not pass on to the next unless he offered a supplication asking for peace i.e. in a nafl (voluntary) Salaah so much time was taken in following the meaning that he was unable to recite more than one manzil (specified portion of the Holy QURAAN) in the whole night. [Musnad lmam Ahmad]

1. In nafl (voluntary) Salaah, the Prophet used to prolong QIYAM (standing) so much that his feet would swell and his chest would give out a sound like that of boiling pot.

2. The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) liked best that devotion (l’badah) which could be offered regularly. [Bukhari]

3. When he led a Salaah he would make it light and brief so that his followers (muqtadis) would not be put to Inconvenience [Nasai]

4. And, when he performed Salaah alone, he would prolong it. [Nasai]

If he was busy in nafl (voluntary) Salaah while somebody was waiting for him, he would shorten it.He would then attend to him and would again get busy in his Salaah. Although he had full fledged attention towards ALLAH and special nearness to ALLAH, even then when he stood for prayer, he would prolong it but if he heard a child’s cry, he would cut it short so that the child’s mother may not be put to inconvenience [Zad -ul- Ma’ad]

The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) would recite the Holy QURAAN in all Postures-standing, sitting, lying down, with or without ablution (seminal defilement excepted), and would not forbid its recitation in similar postures. He used to recite in the best manner. [Za’d -ul- Ma’ad]

Hadrat Sa’d bin Hisham (Radi Allahu Ta’alaAnhu) narrated on the authority of Hadrat Aishah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) that she said, “I am not aware of ALLAH’s Messenger having recited the whole Holy QURAAN in a night, or praying through a whole night till morning, or fasting a complete month except Ramadan”. [Mishkat]